Chicken coop litter as mulch for trees.

[Kuntry Klucker]

Does anyone know if chicken coop litter is okay to put around trees?

I have a large tree by the chicken coop, it is a hackberry I believe.

Anyway, when I clean the litter out of the coop I have been putting it
around the tree as mulch. Is it okay to do this? I just wanted to know
so I don't do anything to hurt the tree.

Thanks in Advance

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Is that anyone out there??

 

[Glenmar]

It may be too strong. I am not sure. I am letting mine age a bit in a compost pile.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

About a year and a half ago I was concerned about 2 of my 4 pine trees, so I asked a neighbor who is a soil scientist (complete with lab) to take a look and tell me what she thought might be wrong. She pulls up and sees one of the ones I am concerned about in the front yard. SHe is puzzled and says it looks fine. Go into the back yard where she sees the other one I am concerned about and says IT looks fine. THen we walk further to the two by the barn and she says "OH, Now I see why you were concerned. These two are doing fabulously! Far better than "average." A few months earlier I had removed a chicken pen that had been under and between both trees for the previous two years. No, it did not get raked out all that often. Occasionally. and with flood irrigation what was there soaked right in.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Quote:
Thanks for the post. So I can assume that it is safe to put litter from the coop directly around the tree, right?
I have a huge hackberry tree that is by the coop. The chickens love to hang under it and scratch in the old bedding and
leaves. I just want to make sure that by putting the old shaving from the coop around the tree I am not doing it any harm.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Thanks for the post. So I can assume that it is safe to put litter from the coop directly around the tree, right?
I have a huge hackberry tree that is by the coop. The chickens love to hang under it and scratch in the old bedding and
leaves. I just want to make sure that by putting the old shaving from the coop around the tree I am not doing it any harm.

If you are concerned, you can compost it for a few months first.

 

[DancingHen]

Most of my trees handle the chicken litter fine, but I killed 2 plum trees by using the litter too soon. Fresh chicken manure has very high nitrogen content that burns the tree's roots. My two trees turned black and died. If the tree is very important to you I would suggest piling the litter somewhere for a few months first and then use it. If you do use it pretty fresh be careful not to let it actually touch the tree's trunk.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Quote:
ok, thanks your info was very helpful. I will let it cool then use it.

 

[deerman]

Quote:
ok, thanks your info was very helpful. I will let it cool then use it.

Yes you want to age for small trees, that large hackberry ,it would take a lot to harm it.


Had a friend that would keep chicken manure in a water barrel , he call it manure tea ,watered his garden with it, grew some show winners at the fair.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Quote:
ok, thanks your info was very helpful. I will let it cool then use it.

Yes you want to age for small trees, that large hackberry ,it would take a lot to harm it.


Had a friend that would keep chicken manure in a water barrel , he call it manure tea ,watered his garden with it, grew some show winners at the fair.

Ok, thanks. I was thinking that it would take tons to harm it, but I wanted to make sure.
I figured it would make great organic fertalized mulch for the tree. Doing more good than harm.
Thanks Again.